The Defense Department has released the name of a soldier killed Monday in an indirect fire attack while supporting operations in Afghanistan.
Pfc. Hansen Kirkpatrick, 19, died of his wounds after the attack in Helmand Province, according to a Wednesday release.
Two other soldiers were wounded in the same attack, but their wounds are not considered life threatening, according to a statement from U.S. Forces-Afghanistan. The two wounded soldiers are being treated at a coalition medical facility.
An investigation into the attack is underway.
Kirkpatrick was assigned to 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, at Fort Bliss, Texas.
"His service in the battalion spanned just over 12 months — a period of intense operational tempo — that culminated in a deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel/Resolute Support. He will be missed greatly by his fellow soldiers and leaders alike," said Maj. James Bithorn, executive officer for 1st Brigade, in a 1st Armored Division release.
About 1,500 hundred soldiers from the brigade have been in Afghanistan as part of a regular train, advise and assist deployment since early this year.
"At a time when we remember the patriots who founded our nation in freedom, we are saddened by the loss of one of our comrades who was here protecting our freedom at home," said Gen. John Nicholson, commander of U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, in a statement. "We will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers as we reflect on the sacrifice he and others have made to secure our freedoms and help make Afghanistan a better place."
As forces have turned their attention to the fight against ISIS in Afghanistan, Kirkpatrick is the seventh American service member to die in the country this year, and the first since a June insider attack.
Meghann Myers is the Pentagon bureau chief at Military Times. She covers operations, policy, personnel, leadership and other issues affecting service members.
